South Africa 'A' squads to be led by Aiden Markram and Khaya Zondo

Aiden Markram and Khaya Zondo are to lead the South Africa ‘A’ four day and 50 over squads respectively for the upcoming tour of England announced on Wednesday.

After an impressive breakthrough season where he scored 565 runs at an average of 51.36 including two hundreds in the Sunfoil series, the batsman earns his debut South Africa ‘A’ call up. He also scored a breathtaking 161 of 123 balls in the One-Day cup final this season.

Zondo in his debut season was also highly impressive as he led the Dolphins, scoring 740 runs at an average of 67.27 in the Sunfoil series including two hundreds and five half-centuries.

CSA selection convener Linda Zondi quoted sports 24, “These are the players we are looking at as future leaders and we are excited to see them develop in this role”

“Although Aiden hasn’t captained at franchise level, he has been a player we have eyed since his role as captain of the world-cup winning SA Under-19 side. Khaya captained the Dolphins for the first time this season and along with being one of the leading run-scorers, has shown leadership qualities that we would like to develop,” he added.

South African pacer Dale Steyn who has produced exceptional performances for the nation over the years is slowly getting back to full fitness and has been selected in the four-day squad as he makes a comeback from a shoulder injury.

Zondi stated that the four-day series is a good platform for some of the players to showcase their talent ahead of the four-test series against England starting in July.

“The four-day series will give us an opportunity to see how some of the players who are on the fringes of the Test squad perform in England ahead of the four-test series”

“We still have time to finalize the Test team so that series can give us some pointers before we finalize the Test squad,” he added.

South Africa ‘A’ squad for 50-over series against England Lions:

Reeza Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Jon Jon Smuts (Warriors), Aiden Markram (Titans), Temba Bavuma (Highveld Lions), Theunis de Bruyn (Knights), Khaya Zondo – captain (Dolphins), Hein Kuhn (Titans), Dwaine Pretorius (Highveld Lions), Mangaliso Mosehle -wk (Highveld Lions), Sisanda Magala (Warriors), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Lungisani Ngidi (Titans), Duanne Olivier (Knights), Junior Dala (Titans), Dane Paterson (Cape Cobras)

South Africa ‘A’ squad for four-day series against England Lions:

Heino Kuhn (Titans), Aiden Markram – captain (Titans), Theunis de Bruyn (Knights), Temba Bavuma (Highveld Lions), Khaya Zondo (Dolphins), Jason Smith (Cape Cobras), Heinrich Klaasen – wk (Titans), Dwaine Pretorius (Highveld Lions), Rudi Second (Knights), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Lungisani Ngidi (Titans), Dane Paterson (Cape Cobras), Duanne Olivier (Knights), Junior Dala (Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras)